Suction cleaner construction



2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed Dec. 15, 1948 40 Fig. l

INVENTOR. Date 6: Gerber ATTORNEY.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Dec. 15, 1948 INVENTOH. Dale 6 Gerber BY ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 29, 1952 SUCTION CLEANER CONSTRUCTION Dale 0. Gerber, North Canton, Ohio, assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application December 15, 1948, Serial No. 65,423

19 Claims. 1

This invention relates to suction cleanersand more particularly to a novel assembly and arrangement of parts affording greater simplicity and compactness Without sacrificing operating efficiency.

In accordance with the invention, the motorfan assembly is enclosed by a built-in filter and is movably mounted with respect to the cleaner casing in such manner as to permit shaking or agitation of the filter to dislodge dirt therefrom. To this end, the motor-fan unit is resiliently mounted for reciprocatory movement within the filter. The arrangement is such that the walls of the filter are first relaxed and then tensioned abruptly when the operator elevates the resiliently mounted motor-fan unit and then releases it. As a result, dirt adhering to the filter is dislodged and the filter is reconditioned without removing it from the casing.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and simplified arrangement of parts afiording greater compactness, lightness, utility, and efiiciency of operation. A further object is the provision of a novel construction for reconditioning a cleaner filter andmaintaining it taut for maximum filtering efficiency.

Another important feature of the invention is an unusually compact construction achieved without sacrificing high operating efficiency and cleaning cfiectiveness.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings showing modes of practicing the invention and in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a suction cleaner incorporating the invention; and

Figure 2 is a similar view of a modified embodiment of the invention.

As illustrated in Figure 1 the invention is incorporated in a vertically arranged tank type cleaner having a frusto-conical casing l closed at its bottom by a removable cover member H. The covers upturned flange I2 is designed to fit the lower end of casing HI rather closely. To insure an airtight seal at this point it is preferable to employ a resilient packing seal such as is indicated at 13.

The remaining elements of the cleaner are mounted upon and are removable with the top closure for easing iii. This closure is shown as comprising a main structural member of molded plastic M. The finishing diaphragm I5 is attached to its under side and carries a resilient sealing gasket i6 which cooperates with an in- 2 turned grooved flange li formed at the upper end of casing I0.

Cov'er I4 is provided with a carrying handle i8 and a suction hose receiving fitting 45 opening into the top of casing H] adjacent one sidewall. This fitting, which may be located in the wall of the casing proper, is preferably provided with a, valve 26 norm-ally held closed by a spring hinge. Valve is adapted to be held open as indicated in dotted lines by a suitable extension on the suction hose. The cover also carries a motor control switch 2! here shown as of toggle type.

A motor fan unit 22 of any suitable type is centrally located within the casing and has its axis extending vertically. Attached to the motor by screws 23 is an exhaust air tube 24 having a sliding fit with a bearing tube 25 the upper flanged end 26 of which is secured to cover M. Flange 26 is mounted between soft rubber vibration absorbing rings 21 and 28 which are held in place by through bolts 29. The upper half of tube 24 is of reduced diameter and passes through an opening 19 in the cover. A compression spring 3| is positioned between the under side of the cover and shoulder 30 on tube 24. The purpose and function of this spring will become apparent below.

The outer end of tube 24 is provided with a hose coupling 32 to which the hose or other tools may be connected when it is desired to use the cleaner for blowing, paint spraying or other uses where air under pressure is to be utilized. Coupling 32 also provides a convenient grip which may be grasped by the operator when it is desired to shake the filter. This operation will be described in detail below.

The multiple-stage fan is provided with an axially disposed inlet 33 at its lower end. Surrounding this inlet is an inverted cup-shaped member 34 to the lips of which is secured a saucer shaped spider 35. The side walls of cup 34 carry a plurality of air inlet openings 36. The lower, closed end of an air pervious filter bag 31 fits about and is supported by spider 35 while its upper open end is provided with a clamping device 38 fitting about a suitable seat 50 on cover I4. A helical spring 33 is positioned closely adjacent the inner wall of the bag and holds it against collapse under the reduced pressure created by the fan. Spring 39 also supplements the action of compression spring 31 in holding the filter in a taut operating condition.

A thumb screw 40 extends between the cap H and a threaded, vibration absorbing fitting 41 mounted on spider 35 for the purpose of providing additional support for the motor fan unit and preventing damage from lateral movement of the latter. Fitting 4| can be disassembled to permit replacement of the filter bag. When in place it holds the filter bag securely to spider 35. As will be readily appreciated, when screw 40 is in position the motor fan unit cannot be reciprocated vertically in the bearing provided by tubes 24 and 25 and opening IS in cap l4. The screw also serves to hold bottom cover I sealed against the lower end of casing I0. If desired, additional means may be provided for holding cover clamped to the casing until it is desired to empty the dirt from the cleaner.

In operation, the motor fan draws air inwardly through fitting 5| and into the angular space between casing l and the outer wall of filter 31. The air passes through the filter and passes downwardly to the bottom thereof, through openings 36 and into inlet 33 of the fan. Air discharging from the fan passes through and over the motor to cool the same and then passes upwardly through tube 24 and back into the room. The dust separates on the outer wall of the filter and falls to the bottom of the casing where it collects until removed.

Dirt which has accumulated on the filter may be readily removed by operation of the novel shaker mechanism. In so doing, it is first necessary to remove screw 40 on bottom cap The operator next grasps the grip on the upper end of tube 24 and raises the same upwardly compressing springs 3| and 39. This action relaxes the tension on the filter and causes it to wrinkle horizontally as will be readily appreciated. As the operator releases his grip, springs 3| and 39 snap the motor fan unit back to its normal position to abruptly tension the side walls of the filter. This sudden tensioning of the filter is highly effective in dislodging accumulated dirt. If the filter is quite dirty, several shaking operations may necessary to restore it to full efiiciency. Following shaking of the filter, the bottom cover i removed and the dirt isemptied.

Another method of operation preferred by some users involves laying the cleaner on its side, removing the cover, upending the open casing onto a sheet of paper and thereafter operating the shaker to clean the filter. After waiting a moment for the dust within the casing to settle, the user lifts the casing away from the dirt and replaces the bottom cover.

When operating the shaker, it may be desirable to remove the suction hose from fitting 5| allowing valve to close and block discharge of dirtladen air into the room.

If it is desired to replace the filter, cover l4 may be removed from the upper end of the casing by unlatching the usual holding clamps, not shown. The cover may then be lifted from the casing carrying with it the entire motor-fan and filter assembly. Filter clamp 33 can then be loosened as well as fitting 4| securing the bottom of the filter to spider 35. The filter bag can then be removed, spring 39 transferred to a new filter bag and the new filter inserted over the motor-fan unit and secured in place. Replacement of the assembly in the main casing restores the cleaner to it normal condition ready for operation.

A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 2. It is generally similar to the first embodiment and similar or identical parts are indicated by the same reference characters primed.

The principal differences reside in the elimination of the separable bottom cover, a different means for preventing lateral movement of the lower end of the filter and motor-fan assembly, and the addition of means located at the upper end of the air discharge tube for locking the motor-fan unit against vertical movement when not operating the filter shaking mechanism.

By eliminating cover ll of the first embodiment and making the bottom wall of the cleaner integral with the main casing Ill it is possible to reduce construction costs and to eliminate certain disadvantage attending dirt removal. In the second embodiment, the dirt is removed through the opening at the upper end of the casing after cover l4 and all parts attached thereto is removed. The accumulated dirt is then contained in the casing which can easily be carried to a place of dirt disposal and emptied. The cleaner is thereafter restored to operation simply by replacing the unit in the casing and clamping the cover in place.

The means for preventing lateral movement of the motor and filter relative to the casing will now be described. A fitting 4| securing filter 31' to spider 35' includes a winged nut 42. Positioned beneath the wings of nut 42 and secured to the bottom of the casing is an abutment 43, the upper surface of which is chamfered and slotted at 44 to receive the wings of nut 42. Abutment 43 may be of rubber or other suitable material to absorb vibrations and prevent transmission of noises originating in the motor fan unit to the casing walls. It will also be noted that slot 44 is deep enough to allow for vertical tolerances in manufacture but narrow enough to prevent any material lateral movement of the motor unit relative to the casing.

It will, of course, be understood that either nut 42 or abutment 43 may take various other forms so long as the objectives noted above are carried out. For example, it may be considered preferable to replace slot 44 by a central bore positioned to receive an axial extension of nut 42.

Referring to the third principal variant, it will be noted that coupling 32' on the outer end of air discharge conduit 24' carries a handle bail 52 pivoted to the coupling at 46. Projecting from the lower end of the handle bail is an extension carrying a roller 41 which is adapted to interlock with a stop 48 carried by cover I4 when the handle is lowered to the full line position. The handle is held in this latter position by a spring clamp 49 secured to one of the through bolts 29. When the handle is in this position, roller 4'! cooperates with stop 48 to lock air discharge conduit 24' in its lowermost position. In this position the filter is fully tensioned ready for cleaner operation and the shaker is locked out of operation. To shake the cleaner, it is merely necessary for the user to pivot handle 52 upwardly and lift it along with the exhaust conduit and motor fan unit to collapse the filter against the action of springs 3| and 39'. Release of the handle allows these springs to return the assembly to its lower position abruptly to snap the side walls of the filter and dislodge dirt. After one or more shaking operations the operator can release the clamps holding the cover in place and lift the assembly from the casing leaving all the dirt in the bottom of the casing ready for convenient disposal. After emptying, the cleaner is restored to operating condition merely by replacement and clamping the cover to the casing.

thepresent invention provides a novel suction cleaner affording unusual simplicity, ruggedness as Well as a novel arrangement of parts in which the motor-fan unit plays a major role in cleaning the filter. Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will also be so apparent that further elaboration is unnecessary.

While only two embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that these are merely illustrative. The invention is readily susceptible to numerous other arrangements and variations without departure from the basic principles thereof;-

1. The combination with suction cleaner casing having a dirt filter mounted thereinpbetween an airinlet opening and an air outlet opening, of a motor-fan unit, means for reciprocally supporting said unit within said casing, spring means normally biasing said unit against the unsupported central portion of said filter so as normally to hold the walls thereof taut, means extending from said unit to a point outside said casing and operable to move said unit to tension said spring and slackening said filter walls whereby, upon release, said spring returns said unit to its normal position abruptly to tension said filter and dislodge dirt therefrom.

2. The combination with a suction cleaner casing having a dirt filter mounted therein between an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening, of a motor-fan unit supportedby and connected to the central portion of said filter so that the weight thereof normally maintains the filter wall taut, and means operable exteriorly of said casing to elevate said unit through a vertically guided path to slacken said filter walls whereb when said means is released said unit returns to its position of rest on said filter abruptly to tension the walls thereof and dislodge dirt therefrom.

3. The combination defined in claim 2 characterized by the inclusion of disconnectable means for normally holding said motor-fan unit against movement relative to said casing and to said filter whereby the latter is held taut except when it is desired to shake said filter.

4. The combination defined in claim 2 charac terized by the inclusion of means for locking said motor-fan unit in its position of rest against said filter to tension the walls thereof for maximum filtering efficiency.

5. In combination, a suction cleaner casing, an open-topped filter bag having its open end supported above the bottom of said casing, a motorfan unit housed within the filter and resting upon the closed end thereof so as to be supported thereby to tension said filter walls, an air discharge means for said cleaner connected to said unit and extending vertically through an opening in said casing, the exposed end of said air discharge means being movable upward- 1y to a limited extent controlled by and guided through said casing opening to remove the 6 motor-fan unit disposed within said bag and supported thereby, an air discharge conduit for saidcleaner connected to said'unit and extending through 'an opening in said casing, said conduit and unit being vertically movable with respect to said casing to slacken the walls of said filter, spring-means biasing said unit against said filter to tension .the walls thereof, the outer end of said. discharge conduit being manually operable to elevate .said unit. and to tension said spring whereby when said conduit is released said springand the weight of said unit snap the filter walls taut to dislodge dirt.

The combination defined in claim 7 characterized by the" provision of means surrounding saidair discharge conduit and formin a slid ingtbearing therefor, and means for limiting the upward vertical movement of said unit and discharge conduit with respect to said casing.

; 9. The combination with a suction cleaner having a casing, of a removable cover for said casing, a vdirt filter mounted on said cover, a motor-fan-unit mounted on said cover and movable normally thereto through a limited path, said unit being supported in part by said filter so that the weight thereof normally holds the walls of said filter taut, said filter, unit and cover being removable from said casing as a unitary assembly.- J i 10;.1The combination with a suction cleaner having a casing having a removable wall, a suction air inlet therefor, 01" a filter secured to said removable wall and extending into said casing, a motor-fan unit supported by said filter interiorly thereof so as normally to maintain the Walls thereof taut, an air discharge means extending from saidunit to a point exteriorly of said removable wall and movable with respect thereto, said air discharge means being operable to convey air from said fan to a point outside said casing and manually manipulatable to shake dirt from said filter.

11. The combination defined in claim 10 including spring means supplementing the weight of said motor-fan unit in normally maintaining said filter taut. I

12. The combination with a suction cleaner casing having a removable cover, of a filter bag secured to said cover and extending into said casing, a motor-fan unit having an air duct, said duct passing through an opening in said cover and being movable with respect thereto, said unit being positioned within said casing and supported in part by said filter to tension the walls thereof, said duct being manipulatable to agitate said filter to shake dirt therefrom.

13. The combination with a suction cleaner casing, a filter bag secured to said casing, a motor-fan unit in said casing on the clean air side of said filter bag, means securing said unit to said casing while allowing limited bodily movement of the unit with respect to said casing and axially of said filter bag, a connection between the bottom portion of said bag and said unit so that movement of the latter imparts movement to the filter, and means operable from a point exteriorly of said casing for moving said unit to dislodge dirt from said filter.

14. The combination defined in claim 13 including means normally biasing said filter to a taut-wall condition.

15. The combination defined in claim 13 including means for locking said motor-fan unit against movement relative to said casing.

16. In combination, a suction cleaner comprising a casing, a filter supported within said casing, said casing having an air intake opening, a tubular exhaust air conduit slidably supported in a second opening for said casing, one end of said conduit extending outwardly beyond said casin and the opposite end extending inwardly toward the central portion of said filter, and spring means for normally moving said conduit inwardly against said filter'to maintain the walls thereof taut, the exposed outer end of said conduit bein manually operable to shake said filter when moved axially outward against said springand then released, said cleaner including power operated means for drawing an air stream inwardly through said intake opening, passing it through said filter and discharging it through said exhaust conduit.

17. In combination, a suction cleaner casing, means including a tubular member slidably mounted in an opening in said casing, a filter-bag having an open end supported by said casing about said opening and enclosing the innergjend of said member, spring means biasing said tubular member inwardly against the closed end of said filter to maintain the walls thereof normally taut, said casing having an air inlet opening ex teriorly of said filter, power operated meanslin communication with said tubular member for drawing air inwardly through said inlet, through said filter and for exhausting the air from said casing through said tubular member, the outer end of said tubular member being exposed and operable to shake said filter when pulledzoutwardly against the action of said spring means and then released.

18. The combination defined in claim 17 wherein said power operated means is housed within the inner end of said tubular means and is movable therewith during the shaking of said filter.

19. The combination with a suction cleaner of the type having a casing, means supporting a filter bag therewithin, said casing being provided with an air inlet opening to the space on one side of said filter and an air exhaust opening to the space on the other side of said filter, a motor-fan unit for circulating an air stream in through said inlet, through said filter and out through said air exhaust opening, of an exhaust air conduit extending through said last mentioned opening. spring means normally holding the inner end of said conduit against the closed end of said filter to hold the walls thereof taut, the outer end of said conduit being operable to shake said filter when manually moved against the action of said spring means to relax said filter walls and then released for the abrupt tensioning thereof by said spring means.

DALE C. GERBER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,774,062 Juelson Aug. 26, 1930 1,921,085 Korittke Aug. 8, 1933 1,988,951 Korittke Jan. 22, 1935 2,327,553 Ponselle Apr. 24, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 410,524 Great Britain May 4, 1934 698,817 Germany Nov. 18, 1940 

